The Region

A Westwood Village camera dealer has agreed to pay $21,000 in civil penalties to settle a Los Angeles County district attorney’s lawsuit in which the shop was accused of misleading newspaper advertising and having a “constant sale.” Bel Air Camera Inc. was accused of publishing an advertisement in The Times that seemed to indicate that a Canon Camcorder camera would be sold for $1,175, though the sale price actually applied to a “famous maker” videocamera-recorder, not a Canon. Bel Air was also accused of advertising that it was holding the sale until a certain date, which was always just before the next advertisment--also announcing a “sale"--was published. Under the settlement’s terms, Bel Air admitted no wrongdoing, but agreed to abide by a permanent injunction against misleading advertising.